It was mortifying - wearing his clothes , standing so close to him , pretending it meant nothing when it felt like everything . Before things could spiral further , the Alpha instructor's voice boomed across the field , cutting through the tension like at whip " Silence ! All of you ! " The chatter died instantly . Today's trial will take place in the Blackmoon Forest , he declared , his tone grave . A collective shiver moved through the crowd . Even the cockiest Alphas stiffened at the name . The Blackmoon Forest was infamous - an untamed , lawless stretch of land haunted by creatures not even elders could name . Every wise soul knew better than to wander near it . " When leading a pack , your enemy is not always a wolf , vampire , or hunter , " the instructor continued . " Sometimes , you're dragged into battles with beings whose existence you never imagined - creatures that crave your blood and flesh .. and might be far stronger than you . " He raised a large glass jar , filled with tiny , folded chits . " Inside this are your targets . Each of you will draw one , and that will be your prey for tonight . " Alphas exchanged glances , the air now thick with unease . " You'll have until sunrise to bring back your assigned prey . Only those who succeed will advance to the next trial . Fail , " his eyes swept over us like a guillotine , " and you'll be eliminated from the academy immediately . " My fists clenched at my sides . So that's why the last three days were pure hell . But what kind of prey were we talking about ? " Step forward one at a time . Pick a chit . The moment the horn sounds , the hunt begins ," the instructor commanded , before turning on his heel and leaving . Last time the horn had blared almost immediately . Everyone knew it . Panic took over as the Alphas surged forward like children scrambling for candy , only this candy could cost you your life . Caught up in the chaos , I was shoved forward , boxed in by bodies thicker and taller than mine . Even if I'd wanted to retreat , it was impossible . The crowd was a current and I was forced to swim with it . Alphas who managed to grab their chits wore twisted expressions - some bitter , others downright horrified . Judging by their faces , none of us were about to be chasing rabbits . " Shit , I got a leopard ! " someone groaned in the distance . My eyes snapped toward the voice . A leopard ? Seriously ? If there were leopards in that forest , this would be worse than I thought … I kept listening - trying to piece together what else might be lurking in that cursed place - until finally , the Alphas ahead of me cleared . With the pressure behind me increasing , lunged forward and snatched a chit from the jar . Just as I was about to unfold it . I felt a hand . Not just a touch - a squeeze on my ass . A violation . My blood ran cold , before lava surged through me , scorching every nerve . Phina roared awake inside me like a storm I spun around and smacked the bastard with everything I had . The smack echoed across the field like a gunshot LISPU Gasps exploded all around me as the crowd parted in stunned silence . The Alpha I'd just smacked straightened slowly , a red handprint blossoming across his face . Alpha Asher " Holy fuck , the new guy hit Ronan's friend ! " " He's dead . So fucking dead ! " You son of a bitch , Asher growled , his voice like a cracking stone . " You're dead today ! " He lunged , fist raised . I jumped back , bracing to strike again - but someone beat him to it . Ronan stepped between us in a flash , his violet eyes ablaze with fury - but not at Asher . At me " How dare you slap him ?! " he snarled , stepping closer , his anger laced with something darker . I stood my ground , eyes blazing . " Is he a god now ?! He touched me ! It's a miracle I didn't break his entire face ." Ronan halted , just an inch from me . " He touched you ? " There was a flicker - just a flicker - of hesitation in his eyes . But Asher immediately cut in from behind . " He's lying ! " he roared . " Why the fuck would I touch him ?! " Ronan's hesitation snapped like a twig . His jaw tightened . His hands balled into fists . " You lied , huh ? " he growled , grabbing my arms with such force I swore something cracked . Pain shot through me , but I gritted my teeth . " I didn't ! " I hissed , struggling in his grasp , rage boiling over . " Let go of me ! " Unseen in the crowd , Dante watched the unfolding chaos with a wicked grin , while Reed smirked with quiet satisfaction from the shadows . " Asher doesn't lie ! " Ronan shouted , his wolf clawing at the surface . " He's my friend - I trust him ! " " Well , that's your problem ! " I barked . " Your perverted friend touched me , and I gave him exactly what he deserved ! " Phina's voice layered over mine , her presence blazing . " You're lying ! " Asher spat . " He knows what he did ! " I cut in . " He's just too much of a coward to admit it . " Before I could finish Ronan seized my jaw and leaned in close , voice dripping venom . " Watch your mouth , Seth Darven . And apologize Now " I gripped his hand and yanked it away . I stared into his eyes . " Over My Dead Body " Send Gifts